Philip Martell

Innovation, early career exploration K-12, and workforce development are the keystones of Mr. Martell's vision for a future-driven school district. Superintendent Martell has created a culture of career-related learning in school by building a common language with the RIASEC framework so that every student is able to talk about their own strengths, interests, and values. Since joining the school district as Superintendent in 2020, Mr. Martell has advanced opportunities for students from Pre-K to 12th grade. After successfully reconfiguring the former Blairsville-Saltsburg School District into River Valley School District, Mr. Martell saw an opportunity to repurpose a vacant building into the River Valley Academies at Saltsburg, which now houses an early childhood learning academy, a cyber academy, and the River Valley STEAM Academy. The STEAM Academy provides career-driven learning opportunities for high-priority, in-demand professional careers in Biomedical Technology, Cybersecurity, Electrical Occupations and Powerline, Esports, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy, Pathways to Health Professions, Teacher Preparation, and Welding Technology.  Under Mr. Martell's leadership, the River Valley School District has earned multiple national recognitions. River Valley School District was named an AASA National'  Lighthouse' School System to help transform education. RVSD exemplifies AASA's Learning 2025 Commission Initiative and was one of only six school districts across the country recognized as a 2023 Spring "Lighthouse System" by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In August 2023, Mr. Martell was invited to join leaders at the White House for a Cybersecurity Summit to establish best practices and recommendations for schools to protect their digital infrastructure against cyber threats. Leaders from the White House, the Department of Education, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, as well as school districts and state agencies, convened to amplify efforts to defend against ever-evolving Cybersecurity threats. In April 2023, Mr. Martell was presented with the Saint Francis University's Excellence in STEAM Educator Award. The Excellence in STEAM Educator Award honors a Superintendent for making a tremendous positive impact in the lives of students, teachers, and the community through workforce development and technology-centered educational initiatives.  Superintendent Martell continues to transform the future of education by creating a system-wide foundation that prepares all students with an academic approach rooted in real-world experience. Mr. Martell ignited the district's innovative approach to creating classrooms that feature the latest technologies to prepare learners for ever-evolving, highly technical industries. Mr. Martell engages students, educators, and the community with his business experience, passion for workforce readiness, and drive that embraces a future-driven culture. With more than 15 years in leadership roles in the K-12 public education sector and significant engagement in the broader educational and local government community, Mr. Martell formulates data-driven school initiatives, innovation, and career-related learning in school.